Palau President hails NZ lifter David Liti

It was an outpouring of heartfelt gratitude from the President of Palau during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror as he extended special recognition to a notable New Zealander.

President Surangel Whipps Jr, honourably credited weightlifter David Liti, who has Tongan heritage, saying he embodies the true spirit of the Games.

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Liti helped his injured Sāmoan competitor, La Titi Louie, onto the podium, symbolising unity - a sentiment that resonated with Whipps Jr.

“This act of kindness and respect reminds us we are not only rivals, but brothers and sisters in this journey,” he says.

Liti, a co-flagbearer for Team New Zealand in Palau, was awarded the David Dixon Award for sporting spirit at the Gold Coast Games in 2018.

Sunday's opening ceremony saw 23 out of the 24 participating nations march with pride, with Niue absent.

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr, left, and New Zealand weightlifter David Liti. Photo/RNZ Pacific/Pacific Mini Games 2025

Vidya Lakhan, from Fiji and the Games Council President, says that this year's event will be the largest attendance in the history of the Games.

“I am informed that when the numbers were finalised last night, just under 2000 athletes and officials had registered,” Lakhan says.

Thanks to strong international relations, Taiwan provided more than $9.4 million in support, prompting more praise from Whipps Jr.

Action from the basketball competition on day one. Photo/Facebook/Pacific Mini Games 2025

“Thank you to the Pacific Games Council for trusting us with this privilege. We are truly grateful to our international partners for their unwavering support. To Taiwan and Ambassador Jessica Lee for building and upgrading our world-class sports facilities,” he says.

Whipps Jr emphasises the uniqueness of Pacific culture and how unity is a major strength for Pacific athletes.

“Because in the Pacific, we are not just stewards of our islands, we are champions of each other. And let these games be a shining example of what we can achieve when we stand together.”

The opening ceremony of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau. Photo/Facebook/Pacific Mini Games 2025

According to the official Games Calendar, 24 countries will compete across 14 sports. The first day kicks off at the Palau Swimming pool with several heats and races for men and women. Mixed and single races for Va’a (canoe paddling) are also scheduled to follow.

One Softball and Baseball match will take place in the afternoon, with the first couple of Men's Volleyball games rounding up day one. Archery and 3x3 Basketball will be the other sports featured on Tuesday.

The 2025 Pacific Mini Games ends on 9 July.